Help customers select solar
film?
Mike Feldman, president of Advanced Film Solutions in Tampa, Fla., explains
how he helps customers select solar films:

Prospective clients come in all shapes and sizes. Some are
complete neophytes about solar films while others “think” they know everything
based on Internet research or advice from their next-door neighbor.

What is Their “Pain?”Our first objective is determining the type and extent of the
problem(s).

The usual suspects are unbearable heat, glare or faded
furnishings. Security, privacy and rising electric costs are also frequently
mentioned. There are many solutions that will solve their problem; now
the goal is to narrow these choices down to the select few.

Show Me the Patient!
I ask to see the room that best demonstrates their troubles. The hotter
and brighter the room, the better!

It’s important to determine whether the windows are single-pane,
insulating units, etc. This may limit several choices that can create
thermal stress issues.

We also determine whether their home is in a deed-restricted
community that prohibits reflective films.

We then determine the orientation of the windows. Windows
facing east, west or south will determine whether a film will qualify
for utility rebates. Tampa Electric, for example, will reimburse a homeowner
$2.00 per square foot for west and east facing glass as long as the shading
coefficient is .40 or less.

You need to know if it is it important to them that they
receive the rebate. Do they have a preference between a reflective appearance
or a non-reflective on their glass? There will be trade-offs among these
types of films so a balance has to be struck between performance and aesthetics.

On the Glass
Film samples showing the appearance of the film are extremely helpful.
The client can determine what the film will look like from both inside
and outside his home. These tools become the focal point of discussion
when the client makes a decision.

Once clients select their favorite through the process of
elimination that “they” have made, they feel good knowing that they made
the perfect choice for their home!